Voicing Back through the Shattered Self: Mental Illness, Marital Dynamics, and Diasporic Tensions in The Colour of Mehndi
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In analyzing the novel The Colour of Mehndi, this article aims to explore a broader literary landscape of South Asian women’s writings and calls for further exploration of the intricate relationships among mental illness, marital dynamics, ethnicity, and cultural pressure within diasporic communities. First, this article scrutinizes South Asian immigrant women’s writings within a diasporic context, focusing mainly on the juxtaposition of homogeneity and heterogeneity in their literary landscapes. Then, the study delves into the complex negotiations of self-identity amid the intricate tapestry of diaspora and matrimony. Through the poignant story of Nazli, the female protagonist caught amidst dual socio-cultural challenges, the essay elucidates women’s multifaceted oppression stemming from the diaspora, gender expectations, and mental health afflictions. One central theme is the amplified adherence to traditional diaspora customs, serving as coping mechanisms and potential sources of emotional turmoil. The article further sheds light on the heightened cultural stigmas associated with mental health within South Asian diasporic communities, emphasizing how these deterrents, combined with societal norms, often internalize distress and avoidance of professional intervention. Nazli’s harrowing journey culminating in her tragic end accentuates the need to address these pervasive issues. This work illuminates the profound intersections of mental health, cultural identity, and societal structures by juxtaposing socio-somatic paradigms with more conventional psychosomatic frameworks. The study advocates for a more nuanced understanding of diasporic women’s lived experiences, catalyzing a broader academic and socio-cultural discourse on the pivotal themes of identity, marital relations, ethnicity, and mental health in the diaspora.
Abstract
In analyzing the novel The Colour of Mehndi, this article aims to explore a broader literary landscape of South Asian women’s writings and calls for further exploration of the intricate relationships among mental illness, marital dynamics, ethnicity, and cultural pressure within diasporic communities. First, this article scrutinizes South Asian immigrant women’s writings within a diasporic context, focusing mainly on the juxtaposition of homogeneity and heterogeneity in their literary landscapes. Then, the study delves into the complex negotiations of self-identity amid the intricate tapestry of diaspora and matrimony. Through the poignant story of Nazli, the female protagonist caught amidst dual socio-cultural challenges, the essay elucidates women’s multifaceted oppression stemming from the diaspora, gender expectations, and mental health afflictions. One central theme is the amplified adherence to traditional diaspora customs, serving as coping mechanisms and potential sources of emotional turmoil. The article further sheds light on the heightened cultural stigmas associated with mental health within South Asian diasporic communities, emphasizing how these deterrents, combined with societal norms, often internalize distress and avoidance of professional intervention. Nazli’s harrowing journey culminating in her tragic end accentuates the need to address these pervasive issues. This work illuminates the profound intersections of mental health, cultural identity, and societal structures by juxtaposing socio-somatic paradigms with more conventional psychosomatic frameworks. The study advocates for a more nuanced understanding of diasporic women’s lived experiences, catalyzing a broader academic and socio-cultural discourse on the pivotal themes of identity, marital relations, ethnicity, and mental health in the diaspora.
참고문헌 (23)
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